Adaptable communication techniques for electronic devices

ABSTRACT

Improved approaches for users of electronic devices to communicate with one another are disclosed. The electronic devices have audio and/or textual output capabilities. The improved approaches can enable users to communicate in different ways depending on device configuration, user preferences, prior history, etc. In one embodiment, the communication between users is achieved by short audio or textual messages.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/527,565, filed Dec. 8, 2003, and entitled “ADAPTABLECOMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to electronic devices and, moreparticularly, to communication techniques for electronic devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, to participate in wireless communications, a user holds amobile phone (e.g., wireless or a cellular phone) against his ear tohear an audio communication received in a wireless manner. The userusually also speaks towards a microphone embedded in the mobile phone toparticipate in the audio communication, again in a wireless manner. Morerecently, to facilitate hands-free operation of mobile phones, head-setshave been produced and utilized. Typically, a headset clips over or intoan ear of the user to provide a speaker and a microphone in proximity tothe ear and the mouth, respectively, of the user. Traditionally, thehead-set was connected to the mobile phone by a cord (i.e., wire). Inrecent times, head-sets have been developed to operate in a wirelessmanner, without the need of a cord connected to the mobile phone. Forexample, one popular type of wireless head-set uses Bluetooth wirelesstransmissions to communicate between the head-set and the correspondingmobile phone.

Mobile phones often support both voice calls and text messaging. Whenthe user does not make use of a head-set, the user often holds themobile phone against their ear when participating in a voice call. Oneproblem this presents is that the user is not able to see the screen ofthe mobile phone. As a result, the user has difficultly interacting withthe keypad or screen of the mobile phone when the mobile phone is heldagainst the user's head. Alternatively, when the user of a mobile phonemakes use of a head-set, the user can receive and participate in voicecalls in a hands-free manner. Unfortunately, however, the user wouldneed to view a screen of the mobile phone to participate in textmessaging.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved wireless communicationtechniques for users of mobile communication devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to improved approaches for users of electronicdevices to communicate with one another. The electronic devices haveaudio and/or textual output capabilities. The improved approaches canenable users to communicate in different ways depending on deviceconfiguration, user preferences, prior history, etc. In one embodiment,the communication between users is achieved by short audio or textualmessages.

According to a first aspect, improved approaches to respond to incomingvoice calls are disclosed. The improved approaches enable a called partyto provide some information to a calling party without directly engagingin a voice call with the calling party. The called party can choose notto take the voice call from the calling party. Instead, the called partycan provide the calling party with some limited information. The limitedinformation can be provided in an audio or textual format. In oneembodiment, the limited information provides the calling party withfeedback as to why the voice call was not taken.

According to a second aspect, improved approaches to respond to anincoming text message are disclosed. The improved approaches enable arecipient to provide a reply message to an initiator. The incoming textmessage can be presented to the recipient with an audio or textualpresentation. Thereafter, a reply text message can be sent back to theinitiator. The recipient can form the reply text message by recording abrief audio message or entering a text message. In the case in which abrief audio message is used, the audio message can be automaticallyconverted to a text message before being transmitted to the initiator.

The electronic device can be a computing device, such as a personalcomputer, a personal digital assistant, or a communications device. Oneexample of a communications device is a mobile telephone.

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as amethod, system, device, apparatus, and a computer readable medium.Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

As a method for facilitating a called party in responding to a callingparty, one embodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of:receiving an incoming voice call from the calling party at a mobilecommunication device of the called party; determining that the calledparty declines to answer the incoming voice call from the calling party;determining a set of predetermined messages; presenting thepredetermined messages to the called party; receiving a user selectionof one of the predetermined messages from the called party; andproviding the selected one of the predetermined messages to the callingparty.

As method for facilitating a called party in responding to a callingparty, another embodiment of the invention includes at least the actsof: receiving an incoming voice call from the calling party at a mobilecommunication device of the called party; determining that the calledparty declines to answer the incoming voice call from the calling party;recording, by the called party, a custom audio message for the callingparty; and playing the custom audio message that has been recorded forthe calling party.

As a method for facilitating a called party in responding to a callingparty, still another embodiment of the invention includes at least theacts of: receiving an incoming voice call from the calling party at amobile communication device of the called party; determining that thecalled party declines to answer the incoming voice call from the callingparty; determining whether a head-set is active for use with the mobilecommunication device of the called party; and providing a short audiomessage to the calling party when it is determined that the head-set isactive and when it is determined that the called party declines toanswer the incoming call.

As a method for facilitating text messaging for a first user of acomputing device, one embodiment of the invention includes at least theacts of: receiving an incoming text message from a second user;converting the incoming text message to an incoming audio message; andplaying the incoming audio message for the first user.

As a method for facilitating text messaging for a first user of ahead-set operatively connected to a computing device, one embodiment ofthe invention includes at least the acts of: receiving an incoming textmessage from a second user; converting the incoming text message to anincoming audio message; playing the incoming audio message for the firstuser via the head-set; recording a reply audio message by the first uservia the head-set; converting the reply audio message into a reply textmessage; and transmitting the reply text message to the second user.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a communication system according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a personal call response process accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an audio message response process accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a text message response process according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an automated call response process accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a message presentation process according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a reply message process according to oneembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to improved approaches for users of electronicdevices to communicate with one another. The electronic devices haveaudio and/or textual output capabilities. The improved approaches canenable users to communicate in different ways depending on deviceconfiguration, user preferences, prior history, time or other criteria.In one embodiment, the communication between users is achieved by shortaudio or textual messages.

The electronic device can be any computing device having communicationcapabilities. Such computing devices can be referred to as communicationdevices. Examples of electronic devices include personal computers,personal digital assistants, pagers or mobile telephones.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to FIGS.1-7. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that thedetailed description given herein with respect to these figures is forexplanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments.

FIG. 1 is a communication system 100 according to one embodiment of theinvention. The communication system 100 can support differentcommunication devices, including mobile telephones 102, computers 104(e.g., personal computers) and/or wireless personal digital assistants(PDAs) 106. Users of the communication devices 102-106 can communicatewith like or different communication devices. Each communication device102-106 offers one or both of audio or textual communicationcapabilities. These communication devices 102-106 can inter-communicatewith one another through a network 108. The network 108 can include oneor more of voice networks and data networks. For example, one network isa data network providing a slow speed data channel for transmission ofShort Message Service (SMS) messages (which are typically limited to 160text characters) to a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) and thenforwarded on to the destination. Besides short messages (e.g., SMSmessages), the network 108 can also support other messaging protocolsfor sending and receiving enhanced messages (EMS), multimedia messages(MMS), email and fax messages. Other networks support faster datachannels and voice channels, such as GPRS, UMTS, G4, GSM, CDMA andvarious protocols, such as UDP, TCP, WAP, PDP other protocols.

According to one embodiment of the invention, one of the communicationdevices 102-106 can send a short message to another of the communicationdevices 102-106. The short message can be text-based or audio-based. Thesending communication device allows its user to create the short messageas the user desires and/or as the device permits. For example, the usermight interact with a keypad or keyboard to enter the short message, orthe user might record audio inputs (e.g., speech) for the short message.The short message can then be sent to the receiving communicationdevice. The sending of the short message may involve converting theshort message from an audio message to a text message, or vice versa.Also, the receiving communication device can further convert the shortmessage from audio-to-text or from text-to-audio. In any case, the shortmessage is presented (e.g., displayed or played) to the user of thereceiving communication device. The presentation can vary as the userdesires or as the device permits.

A first aspect of the invention pertains to improved approaches torespond to incoming voice calls. The improved approaches enable a calledparty (i.e., a party being called) to provide some information to acalling party without directly engaging in a voice call with the callingparty. The called party can choose not to take the voice call from thecalling party. Instead, the called party can provide the calling partywith some limited information. The limited information can be providedin an audio or textual format. In one embodiment, the limitedinformation provides the calling party with feedback as to why the voicecall was not taken.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a personal call response process 200according to one embodiment of the invention. The personal call responseprocess 200 is performed by an electronic device, such as a mobilecommunication device (e.g., mobile telephone). The personal callresponse process 200 begins with a decision 202 that determines whetherthere is an incoming voice call. When the decision 202 determines thatthere is no incoming voice call, then the personal call response process200 awaits such a call. Once the decision 202 determines that there isan incoming voice call, a decision 204 determines whether the incomingvoice call is to be answered. Typically, the user of the electronicdevice would signal the electronic device as to whether or not to answerthe incoming voice call. Alternatively, the electronic device couldautomatically decide whether to answer the call.

When the decision 204 determines that the user desires the incomingvoice call to be answered, the incoming voice call is answered 206 andthe user engages 208 in a voice call with the calling party. A decision210 then determines whether the call has ended. When the decision 210determines that the call has not yet ended, then the personal callresponse process 200 can return to repeat the block 208 while the voicecall continues. Once the decision 210 determines that the voice call hasended, then the personal call response process 200 ends.

When the decision 204 determines that the user does not desire to answerthe incoming voice call, a decision 212 determines whether the userdesires to provide an audio message to the calling party. When thedecision 212 determines that the user does desire to provide an audiomessage to the calling party, an audio message is obtained and sent 214to the calling party (caller).

Alternatively, when the decision 212 determines that the user does notdesire to provide an audio message, a decision 216 determines whetherthe user desires to provide a text message to the calling party. Whenthe decision 216 determines that the user desires to provide a textmessage to the calling party, a text message is obtained and sent 218 tothe calling party.

Still further, when the decision 216 determines that the user does notdesire to provide a text message to the calling party, a decision 220determines whether the incoming voice call is to be directed to voicemail. When the decision 220 determines that the incoming voice callshould be directed to voice mail, then the incoming voice call isdirected 222 to voice mail. On the other hand, when the decision 220determines that the incoming voice call is not to be directed to voicemail, the incoming voice call is dropped 224. Following the blocks 214,218, 222 and 224, the personal call response process 200 is complete andends.

In another embodiment, a personal call response process could announcethe calling party to the called party (user). In announcing the callingparty, the personal call response process would present the called partywith information pertaining to the calling party (e.g., display or audiosound). Such information could, for example, help the called party todecide whether to answer the incoming voice call. The information can,for example, include one or more of name (individual or business),telephone number, or other caller identification. The information couldalso include status information of the calling party, such as position,health, mood, etc. As an example, the information could be presented tothe user prior to the decision 204 of the personal call response process200 shown in FIG. 2.

In still another embodiment, an automated decision process to decidewhether to answer a call can be based on time (e.g., decision 204). Forexample, the called party can previously set a rule, such as that frommidnight to 6 am, the party does not want to answer voice calls. Then,during this time period, the electronic device can automatically decidenot to answer incoming calls. In one implementation, when the electronicdevice decides not to answer incoming calls, no indication of incomingcalls will be provided to the called party. For example, from midnightto 6 am, the device would not produce any ring tone. Additionally, ifdesired, the called party can also configure the electronic device toautomatically provide an audio message or a text message to the callingparty (e.g., I'm asleep call me tomorrow”).

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an audio message response process 300according to one embodiment of the invention. The audio message responseprocess 300 is, for example, suitable for use as the processing carriedout by block 214 illustrated in FIG. 2.

The audio message response process 300 initially answers 302 theincoming voice call. In this operation, the incoming voice call isanswered 302 but not in a traditional way. Instead, the electroniccircuitry associated with a mobile communication device (e.g., mobiletelephone) that receives the incoming voice call operates to answer theincoming voice call for purposes of an audio message response. Forexample, a voice channel is established between the calling party andthe mobile communication device, but the speaker and microphone of themobile communication device are disabled. In effect, in such anembodiment, neither the called party nor the calling party perceivesthat the voice calling has been answered.

Next, one or more predetermined audio messages can be presented 304 bythe mobile communication device. The presentation 304 of the one or morepredetermined audio messages can, for example, be achieved by audio orvisual means. For example, the predetermined audio messages can be audiooutput to a speaker associated with the mobile communication device forthe called party or can be visual output (e.g., text) to a display ofthe mobile communication device for the called party (e.g., user of themobile communication device).

A decision 306 then determines whether a predetermined audio message hasbeen selected. Here, the decision 306 determines whether the user (i.e.,called party) of the mobile communication device has selected one ormore of the predetermined audio messages. When the decision 306determines that a predetermined audio message has been selected, thenthe selected audio message is played 308 for the calling party. Here,the mobile communication device can output the selected audio message tothe calling party over the voice channel. Typically, the mobilecommunication device of the called party would not produce an audibleoutput at the mobile communication device, so that the called partywould not be disturbed by the sending of the audio response. Thepredetermined audio messages are normally short messages (e.g., not morethan 160 characters) so that the duration of time the voice channel isneeded and/or the amount of network bandwidth consumed is minimal.

On the other hand, when the decision 306 determines that none of thepredetermined audio messages have been selected, then a decision 310determines whether a custom audio message is requested. A custom audiomessage is an audio message that is specifically provided for thecalling party. When the decision 310 determines that a custom audiomessage is not being requested, then the audio message response process300 returns to repeat the decision 306 and subsequent operations.Alternatively, when the decision 310 determines that a custom audiomessage is requested, then a custom audio message is recorded 312.Thereafter, the custom audio message that has been recorded can beplayed 314 for the calling party (caller). Here, typically, the customaudio message would be output by the mobile communication device of thecalled party over the voice channel to the calling party. Typically, themobile communication device of the called party would not produce anaudible output at the mobile communication device, so that the calledparty would not be disturbed by the sending of the audio response. Thecustom audio messages are also normally short messages (e.g., not morethan 160 characters) so that the duration of time the voice channel isneeded and/or the amount of network bandwidth consumed is minimal.

Following the operations 308 and 314, the incoming voice call is closed316. In other words, after the selected audio message or the customaudio message is played 308, 314, the incoming voice call can be closed316. Following the block 316, the audio message response process 300 iscomplete and ends.

The predetermined audio messages that are presented 304 to a calledparty can be determined in a static or dynamic manner. A staticdetermination would, for example, be when the called party haspreviously set or recorded an audio message to be utilized. Typically,with static determination, the list of audio messages remains the same(i.e., static) until changed (e.g., by the called party). A dynamicdetermination would allow the audio messages in the list (or theordering of the audio messages in the list) to change without specificaction by the user or the called party. For example, the list orordering of the audio messages can depend on preference settings,configuration information, or prior usage. Prior usage can includebiasing the list of audio messages such that those messages being mostoften selected appear higher in the list. The list or ordering of theaudio messages can also depend on the calling party, type of callingparty, location of calling party or called party, and the like. The listof audio messages can be represented by text and/or graphics (e.g.,icons).

The audio message response process 300 flexibly enables a user to eitherselect one or more predetermined audio messages or provide a customaudio message to be used as an audio message response to a callingparty. However, it should be recognized that, in other embodiments, anaudio message response process can alternatively simply pertain to onlyproviding a custom audio message, or only permitting selection of apredetermined audio message. Further, in still other embodiments, anaudio message response process can first determine whether a customaudio message is to be provided before presenting predetermined audiomessages. In yet other embodiments, an audio message response processcan answer the incoming voice call later in the processing thanoperation 302 as shown in FIG. 3 (e.g., before operations 308 and 314).

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a text message response process 400according to one embodiment of the invention. The text message responseprocess 400 is, for example, processing performed by the block 218illustrated in FIG. 2.

The text message response process 400 initially drops 402 the incomingvoice call. Here, the information to be supplied to the calling party isa short text message; therefore, there is no need for a voice channel.

Next, one or more predetermined text messages are displayed 404. Here,the one or more predetermined text messages would normally be displayedon a display screen associated with the mobile communication devicebeing utilized by the called party. A decision 406 then determineswhether one (or more) of the predetermined text messages has beenselected. When the decision 406 determines that a predetermined textmessage has been selected, then the selected text message is transmitted408 to the caller (i.e., the calling party).

On the other hand, when the decision 406 determines that a predeterminedtext message has not been selected, then a decision 410 determineswhether a custom text message is requested. When the decision 410determines that a custom text message is not requested, then the textmessage response process 400 returns to repeat the decision 406 andsubsequent operations. Alternatively, when the decision 410 determinesthat a custom text message is requested, then the custom text message isentered 412. Here, the called party interacts with the mobilecommunication device to enter the custom text message. Then, the customtext message is transmitted 414 to the caller. In one embodiment, thetransmission 408, 414 of the text message can be performed over acommunication network, such as a network having a Short Message ServiceCenter (SMSC) supporting Short Message Service (SMS) messages. Followingthe transmission 408 of the selected text message or the transmission414 of the custom text message, the text message response process 400 iscomplete and ends.

An alternative embodiment of a text message response process couldoperate to answer the incoming voice call and announce to the callerthat a text message will be forthcoming. Then, the incoming voice callcould be promptly dropped. This additional operation could, for example,be used with the text message response process 400 by providing anadditional operation prior to the block 402 illustrated in FIG. 4.

The predetermined text messages being displayed 404 to a called partycan be determined in a static or dynamic manner. A static determinationwould, for example, be a text message the called party has previouslyset or entered. Typically, with static determination, the list of textmessages remains the same (i.e., static) until changed (e.g., by thecalled party). A dynamic determination would allow the text messages inthe list (or the ordering of the text messages in the list) to changeautomatically, and not by the user. For example, the list or ordering ofthe text messages can depend on preference settings, configurationinformation, or prior usage. To illustrate, prior usage can includebiasing the list of text messages such that those messages being mostoften selected appear higher in the list. The list or ordering of thetext messages can also depend on the calling party, type of callingparty, location of calling party or called party, and the like. The listof text messages can identify each text message with text (e.g., atleast a portion of the corresponding text message, or an abbreviation)and/or graphics (e.g., icons).

The text message response process 400 flexibly enables a user to eitherselect one or more predetermined text messages or provide a custom textmessage to be used as a text message response to a calling party.However, it should be recognized that, in other embodiments, a textmessage response process can alternatively simply pertain to onlyproviding a custom text message, or only permitting selection of apredetermined text message. Further, in still other embodiments, a textmessage response process can first determine whether a custom textmessage is to be provided before presenting predetermined text messages.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an automated call response process 500according to one embodiment of the invention. The automatic callresponse process 500 is substantially similar in many ways to thepersonal call response process 200 illustrated in FIG. 2. However, theautomated call response process 500 operates to reduce user input at themobile communication device by making use of stored data pertaining toits hardware components, configuration or preferences. In this regard,the automatic call response process 500 includes a decision 502 thatdetermines whether a head-set is active. When the decision 502determines that a head-set is active, then the automatic call responseprocess 500 can prefer, suggest or require the user to obtain and send214 an audio message to the caller in response to an incoming voicecall. Alternatively, when the decision 502 determines that a head-set isnot active, then a decision 504 can determine whether a display ispresent. In other words, the decision 504 can determine whether themobile communication device has a display. When the decision 504determines that the mobile communication device does have a display,then the mobile communication device can operate to obtain and send 218a text message to the caller. Of course, this assumes that the callercan support text messages even though they initially called with a voicecall. Hence, in another embodiment, the automatic call response processcan operate to query or obtain information regarding the caller'scommunication device capabilities.

An exemplary scenario of how the previously described automatic callresponse process could work according to one implementation is asfollows:

1. From his mobile phone, Bill calls Tom's mobile phone.

2. Tom is alerted by his mobile phone of an incoming call. Optionally,caller information (i.e., pertaining to Bill) can be displayed orannounced to Tom.

3. Tom can choose to answer the incoming call or decline to answer thecall.

4. In the event that Tom declines to answer the call, Tom can have theopportunity to provide the caller with a brief audio or text message.

5. If an audio message is to be provided, then Tom can either record apersonalized message or select one of a plurality of predetermined audiomessages. In this case, the incoming call is answered by Tom's mobilephone and then the audio message is played for the caller, thereafterthe call is dropped. The audio messages are typically brief (i.e.,short), and examples of audio messages are: (i) “Will call in 10minutes,” (ii) “Cannot talk now,” (iii) “I'm in a meeting,” or (iv)“Please don't call anymore.”

6. On the other hand, if a text message is to be provided, then Tom caneither enter a personalized text message or select from a plurality ofpredetermined text messages. In this case, the incoming call is dropped,and the entered text message or the selected one of the predeterminedtext messages is sent. Examples of text messages are: (i) “Will call in10 minutes,” (ii) “Cannot talk now,” (iii) “I'm in a meeting,” or (iv)“Please don't call anymore.” The text messages can be English (or otherlanguage) words or phrases, or can be condensed text strings (e.g., suchas slang or chat language). In one embodiment, the predetermined textmessages presented to Tom can be dependent on some criteria (i.e.,automatically selected). Alternatively, it is possible that Tom mightwant to edit the predetermined text message, such can be permitted. Asyet another example, the text message can embed dynamic information,such as position, e.g., “I'm in [position] now, so I'll get back to youlater.” The position can be determined using a GPS receiver in themobile phone or acquired by a remote computer and provided to the mobilephone. The position may also be further processed (locally or remotely)into a more user-friendly form, such as city, school, restaurant name,or street type addresses. The position could also be used above toassist the user in deciding whether to answer the incoming call ordecline to answer the call.

7. If hardware components, configuration or preferences are taken intoconsideration, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the above scenario can bemodified. For example, if Tom is using a head-set with his mobile phone,then an audio message may be most convenient, assuming that Tom wants toprovide a particular (i.e., customized) message to Bill. The head-setallows Tom to record a brief audio message. Less conveniently, thehead-set can be used to present a list of predetermined audio messagesand allow Tom's selection therefrom by a button or voice-command.

8. If Tom is not using a head-set, then a text message response might bemore suitable. This would typically require that Tom's mobile phone havea display and a keypad. Even so, without a head-set, Tom could stillrecord an audio message, though such would likely be less convenient.

9. Tom can also not provide an audio message or a text message andsimply let the incoming call roll-over into voice mail.

The exemplary scenario can also be used in a case where the called partyis using one line but the mobile device has multi-line capabilities orcall waiting. In such case, the mobile phone can enable the called partyto provide a brief audio or text message to the calling party as notedabove. Alternatively, the mobile phone can itself automatically (i.e.,without user input) respond to the calling party via an audio or textmessage since the mobile phone is aware that the called party is on theother line.

In this aspect of the invention, the calling party and the called partyoften use mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones. However,the parties can alternatively use other electronic devices, such as aPDA, a computer, etc. Further, the option to provide a text responsecould be prevented if the caller's device is known to not support textmessages.

The advantages of the previously described embodiments are numerous.Different embodiments or implementations may yield different advantages.One advantage is that communications for users of electronic devices canbe flexibly provided. Another advantage is that communication modechanges can be performed at an electronic device to better suit theneeds or condition of the electronic device or user preferences. Instill another advantage, a user can provide feedback to a caller withoutanswering a voice call from the caller.

Another aspect of the invention pertains to improved approaches torespond to an incoming text message. The improved approaches enable arecipient to provide a reply message to an initiator. The incoming textmessage can be presented to the recipient with an audio or textualpresentation. Thereafter, a reply text message can be sent back to theinitiator. The recipient can form the reply text message by recording abrief audio message or entering a text message. In the case in which abrief audio message is used, the audio message can be automaticallyconverted to a text message before being transmitted to the initiator.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a message presentation process 600 accordingto one embodiment of the invention. The message presentation process 600is performed by an electronic device, such as a mobile communicationdevice.

The message presentation process 600 begins with a decision 602 thatdetermines whether an incoming text message is present. Typically, theincoming text message would be transmitted to the mobile communicationdevice from another communication device. When the decision 602determines that an incoming text message is not present, then themessage presentation process 600 awaits such message. Once the decision602 determines that an incoming text message has been received, adecision 604 determines whether an audio or text presentation is to beutilized. The decision 604 can be performed in a variety of differentways. For example, the determination of whether to utilize an audio ortext presentation can be based on user input or can be automaticallydetermined through a use of configuration or preference information orhardware components (e.g., display, speaker, head-set).

When the decision 604 determines that an audio presentation is to beutilized, the incoming text message is converted 606 to an audiomessage. For example, a text-to-speech conversion can be performed. Inone embodiment, a user of the electronic device can be permitted tochoose speech characteristics, such as a voice, tone, pace, accent, ormood, for the resulting speech. For example, a user could choose speechcharacteristics by preference settings. In another embodiment, theincoming text message can include or reference speech characteristics sothat the initiator can control or influence speech characteristics. Instill another embodiment, if the text to be converted contains condensedtext (e.g., such as slang or chat language), the resulting speech canpertain to an uncondensed form of the text. The ability to convert fromcondensed text to resulting speech for uncondensed text can befacilitated by pattern matching. For example, in chat language “LOL” canbe converted to an audio message for “lots of love.” In oneimplementation, a table can store audio messages corresponding to chatterms or phrases. In another implementation, a first table would storeuncompressed terms or phrases corresponding to chat terms or phrases,and a second table would store audio messages corresponding to theuncompressed terms or phrases.

After the incoming text message is converted to the audio message, theaudio message is played 608. Typically, the audio message is played 608by the mobile communication device for the user. For example, the audiomessage can be output to a speaker of the mobile communication device ora headset used therewith. As a result, the user of the mobile wirelesscommunication device receives an audio message even though the incomingmessage was a text message.

On the other hand, when the decision 604 determines that a textpresentation is to be utilized, the incoming text message is displayed610. Here, the incoming text message would be displayed 610 on a displayassociated with the mobile communication device. Following the blocks608 and 610, the message presentation process 600 ends.

As discussed above, text-to-speech conversion can be invoked andperformed on an electronic device, which may be a mobile communicationdevice. While text-to-speech conversion, particularly if high quality isdesired, requires substantial processing capabilities, mobile electronicdevices, such as mobile communication devices, given their small formfactor and price competition, tend to have limited processingcapability. Accordingly, in one embodiment, text-to-speech conversioncan be off-loaded from the mobile device. For example, a remote servercomputer can be provided the text message and produce the resultingaudio message, and then supply the audio message to the mobile device.The remote server computer can be a networked server coupled to thenetwork 108. One example of a networked server is a gateway computer fora wireless electronic device, such as a mobile telephone.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a reply message process 700 according to oneembodiment of the invention. The reply message process 700 is performedby an electronic device, such as a mobile communication device.

The reply message process 700 begins with a decision 702 that determineswhether a reply message is to be sent. Typically, the reply messageprocess 700 follows the presentation of an incoming text message to auser of a mobile communication device. Hence, the reply message to besent is a reply to the incoming text message. However, in otherembodiments, the reply message to be sent can be merely an initialmessage as opposed to a response to an earlier message.

In any case, when the decision 702 determines that a reply message isnot to be sent, then the reply message process 700 ends or simply awaitsthe need to send a reply message. On the other hand, when the decision702 determines that a reply message is to be sent, then a decision 704determines whether an audio or text message is to be formed. Thedecision 704 can be performed in a variety of different ways. Forexample, the determination of whether to send an audio or text messagecan be based on user input or can be automatically determined through ause of configuration or preference information or hardware components(e.g., display, speaker, head-set).

When the decision 704 determines that an audio message is to be formed,then the reply message process 700 prompts 706 for an audio message.Here, the prompt 706 can be directed to the user of the mobilecommunication device. The prompt can be an audio or textual indication.Next, a decision 708 determines whether an audio message has beenrecorded. When the decision 708 determines that the audio message hasnot been recorded, then the reply message process 700 awaits the audiomessage. Once the decision 708 determines that the audio message hasbeen recorded, then the audio message is converted 710 to a textmessage. In one embodiment, if the audio message recorded is greaterthan a maximum text message size (e.g., 150 or 160 characters), then theaudio message can be shortened so that the resulting text message doesnot exceed the maximum text message size. One way to shorten the textmessage is to use abbreviations. For example, the words “For example”can be changed to “e.g.”. Such conversion can be again be performed bymatching entries in tables. Another way to shorten is to removenon-essential text. Still another way to shorten is to clip off ortruncate the text message at the maximum text message size. In anotherembodiment, the resulting text message might provide an indication thatit was converted from an audio message. Following the block 710, thetext message is transmitted 712 over a wireless network.

Alternatively, when the decision 704 determines that a text message isto be formed, then a text entry screen is displayed 714. Next, adecision 716 determines whether a text message has been entered. Whenthe decision 716 determines that a text message has not yet beenentered, then the reply message process 700 awaits entry of the textmessage. Once the text message has been entered, the text message istransmitted 712 over the wireless network. Following the block 712, thereply message process 700 ends.

Although the reply message process 700 provides for the user to enter acustom text or audio message, it should be understood that the replymessage can alternatively be formed through use of semi-custom orpredetermined reply messages from which the user of the mobilecommunication device can choose. The use of semi-custom or predeterminedreply messages can be achieved as noted above in a number ofembodiments, and can serve to simplify the conversion process.

An exemplary scenario of how message presentation and reply messageprocesses could work according to one implementation of the secondaspect is as follows:

1. From his mobile phone, Bill prepares and sends a text message toTom's mobile phone.

2. Tom is alerted by his mobile phone of an incoming text message, suchas by displaying at least a portion of the text message and/or otherwisenotifying Tom of the text message.

3. Tom's mobile phone can decide whether to present the text message ona display screen of Tom's mobile phone, or to first convert the textmessage to an audio message and then present the audio message to Tom(e.g., play the audio message). Of course, Tom can interact with Tom'smobile phone to assist in making the determination on how to present themessage.

4. Thereafter, if desired, Tom can prepare and send a reply message backto Bill. This reply message can be prepared initially as a text messageor an audio message. Tom's mobile phone and/or Tom can determine whetherthe reply message is initially prepared as a text message or as an audiomessage. If an audio message is initially created, such audio messagemust be converted to a text message prior to transmission. Eventually,the reply message is sent to Bill as a text message. Tom's mobile phonecan assist with the creation of the reply message through use of custom,semi-custom or predetermined reply message from which Tom and/or Tom'smobile phone can choose.

5. If Tom is using a head-set with his mobile phone, then an audiomessage may be more convenient, assuming that Tom wants to provide aparticular (i.e., customized) message to Bill. The head-set allows Tomto easily record a brief audio message. Less conveniently, the head-setcan be used to present a list of predetermined audio messages and allowTom's selection therefrom by a button or voice-command.

6. If Tom is not using a head-set, then a text message response might bemore suitable. This would typically require that Tom's mobile phone havea display and a keypad. Even so, without a head-set, Tom could stillrecord an audio message, though such would likely be less convenient.

7. Tom can also not provide a reply message and simply not respond tothe incoming text message. Alternatively, Tom can configure his mobilephone to automatically produce and send a reply message based on usersettings or preferences, position, configuration, status, etc.

In this aspect of the invention, the calling party and the called partyoften use mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones. However,the parties can alternatively use other electronic devices, such as aPDA, a computer, etc.

The advantages of the invention exemplified by FIGS. 6-7 are numerous.Different embodiments or implementations may yield different advantages.One advantage is that communications for users of electronic devices canbe flexibly provided. Another advantage is that communication modechanges can be performed at an electronic device to better suit theneeds or condition of the electronic device or user preferences. Stillanother advantage is that conversion of an audio message to a textmessage facilitates use a low cost network (such as the SMS network).Another advantage is reduced network bandwidth load. Yet still anotheradvantage is that the sender can get back a message in the same formatas they sent the original message, though the recipient may use themessage in a different format or mode (e.g., recipient hears the textmessage as an audio message).

Moreover, it should be noted that with regards to any of the embodimentsin which a voice call or a text message is incoming to an electronicdevice, not only can the user of the mobile device take an action (e.g.,button press or voice-command) to decline the call/message but also theelectronic device itself can automatically decline the call/message suchthat the user is not disturbed. For example, an electronic device can beconfigured through user settings (e.g., preferences) to declinecalls/messages matching certain criteria. Also, an auto reply messagecan be configured to be automatically sent in response to thecall/message. For a known, undesired marketing caller/message sender,the electronic device can automatically send a reply message demandingthe sender not to call or send messages anymore, and to remove yourinformation from their database.

Text messages received or sent can optionally embed indications ofspeech characteristics to be used, should the text message be convertedto an audio format. The speech characteristics can pertain to voice,tone, pace, accent, and/or mood. The speech characteristics for theresulting speech can be set in preference or configuration information,set on a per message basis by users, or set by evaluation of monitoreddata pertaining to the user.

Additionally, the messages being transmitted can be encrypted forsecurity purposes.

In one embodiment, an electronic device performing communications usingaudio and/or text messages according to the invention can furtherintegrate (or have tethered thereto) one or more electrical componentsfor enhancing the hearing of the user of the electronic device. Theelectronic device will normally include a microphone and a speaker. Inany case, additional details on hearing enhancement are furtherdescribed, for example, in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/620,238, filed Oct. 18, 2004, and entitled “EYEGLASSES WITH HEARINGENHANCED AND OTHER AUDIO SIGNAL-GENERATING CAPABILITIES,” which ishereby incorporated herein by reference;

The invention described herein can be considered an automated secretaryfor a user of an electronic device. The automated secretary cancompletely or partially respond to an incoming call/message so as toreduce disturbances to the user. The user can personalize the automatedsecretary through user settings (e.g., preferences), or the automatedsecretary can learn over time how to handle different incomingcalls/messages. Besides handling or assisting the user with incomingcalls/messages, the automated secretary can also assist with otheractivities, such as making calendar entries (e.g., meetings) in acalendar or responding to incoming callers/messages with relevantinformation pertaining to the user's schedule as maintained by thecalendar (though the user could restrict such access to certaininformation and/or inquiring parties). For example, if an incoming textmessage asks “available for lunch today?”, the automated secretary cancheck the user's availability for lunch by way of the user's calendar,then if the user is not available the automated secretary can quicklyinforming the inquiring party of same or propose another date. On theother hand, if the lunch time period is available in the user'scalendar, then the automated secretary can either directly respond tothe inquiring party of acceptance or propose a response to the user forreview, modification and/or transmission.

Furthermore, the embodiments implementations and features described in:(i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/509,631, filed Oct. 9, 2003,and entitled “TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES,” which ishereby incorporated herein by reference; and (ii) U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application 60/462,591, filed Apr. 15, 2003, and entitled“EYEGLASSES FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference; (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/964,011,filed Oct. 12, 2004, and entitled “TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOREYEGLASSES,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; and (iv)U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/822,218, filed Apr. 12, 2004, andentitled “EYEGLASSES FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS,” which is herebyincorporated herein by reference, can be used with the variousembodiments, implementations, features and aspects of the inventionnoted above. For example some or all of the processing noted above withrespect to FIGS. 1-7 can be performed in electrical components integralor tethered to eyeglasses. However, the electrical components integralor tethered to eyeglasses can also interact and/or share processingtasks with an electrical device (e.g., mobile telephone, PDA, etc.)located proximate thereto.

It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that a number ofembodiments performing communications using voice as well as audioand/or text messages can be implemented using voice over InternetProtocol technologies, with signals delivered over the Web. For example,a calling party's communication or mobile device can include an adapterto convert voice signals to data packets before sending them over theInternet. A service provider can convert the packets back into voicesignals before sending the voice signals to the called party'scommunication device. Similarly, embodiments can be implemented usingvoice over wireless protocols, such as Wi-Fi or Wi-Max networks. Usingsuch technologies, computing devices can become communication devices.

The various embodiments, implementations, features and aspects of theinvention noted above can be combined in various ways or usedseparately. Those skilled in the art will understand from thedescription that the invention can be equally applied to or used inother different settings with respect to various combinations,embodiments, implementations or features provided in the descriptionherein.

The invention can be implemented in software, hardware or a combinationof hardware and software. A number of embodiments of the invention canalso be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readablemedium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that canstore data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examplesof the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-accessmemory, CD-ROMs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, andcarrier waves. The computer readable medium can also be distributed overnetwork-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code isstored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will become obviousto those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details. The description and representation herein arethe common meanings used by those experienced or skilled in the art tomost effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled inthe art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components,and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring aspects of the present invention.

In the foregoing description, reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment can beincluded in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances ofthe phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor areseparate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process flowcharts ordiagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do notinherently indicate any particular order nor imply any limitations inthe invention.

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparentfrom the written description and, thus, it is intended by the appendedclaims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention.Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact construction and operation as illustrated and described.Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to asfalling within the scope of the invention.

1. A method for facilitating a called party in responding to a callingparty, said method comprises: (a) receiving an incoming voice call fromthe calling party at a mobile communication device of the called party;(b) determining that the called party declines to answer the incomingvoice call from the calling party; (c) determining a set ofpredetermined messages; (d) presenting the predetermined messages to thecalled party; (e) receiving a user selection of one of the predeterminedmessages from the called party; and (f) providing the selected one ofthe predetermined messages to the calling party.
 2. A method as recitedin claim 1, wherein the predetermined messages are audio messages, andsaid providing (f) comprises: (f1) answering the incoming voice call toenable a voice channel if not already answered; (f2) playing theselected one of the predetermined messages over the voice channel; and(f3) thereafter closing the incoming voice call to disable the voicechannel.
 3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein a microphone of ahead-set coupled to the mobile communication device is disabled duringsaid playing (f2).
 4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein saidpresenting (d) of the predetermined messages comprises displaying a textrepresentation of at least a portion of one or more of the predeterminedmessages on a display device of the mobile communication device.
 5. Amethod as recited in claim 1, wherein said presenting (d) of thepredetermined messages comprises playing at least a portion of one ormore of the predetermined messages via a speaker, and wherein thespeaker is a component of the mobile communication device or a head-setused with the mobile communication device
 6. A method as recited inclaim 1, wherein the predetermined messages are text messages, and saidproviding (f) comprises: (f1) dropping the incoming voice call; and (f2)transmitting the selected one of the predetermined messages to thecalling party as a text message.
 7. A method as recited in claim 1,wherein the predetermined messages are text messages, and said providing(f) comprises: (f1) answering the incoming voice call to enable a voicechannel; (f2) informing the calling party to expect a text message viathe voice channel; (f3) closing the incoming voice call to disable thevoice channel; and (f4) transmitting the selected one of thepredetermined messages to the calling party as a text message.
 8. Amethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of predetermined messagesis determined based on one or more of: prior usage of the mobilecommunication device, user-configuration information, and userpreference information.
 9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein saiddetermining (b) can determine that the incoming voice call is to bedeclined by user interaction with the wireless communication device orautomatically based on a pre-set criterion.
 10. A method forfacilitating a called party in responding to a calling party, saidmethod comprises: (a) receiving an incoming voice call from the callingparty at a mobile communication device of the called party; (b)determining that the called party declines to answer the incoming voicecall from the calling party; (c) recording, by the called party, acustom audio message for the calling party; and (d) playing the customaudio message that has been recorded for the calling party.
 11. A methodas recited in claim 10, wherein said method further comprises: (e)answering the incoming voice call prior to said playing (d) of thecustom audio message.
 12. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein saidmethod further comprises: (e) prompting the called party to record thecustom audio message prior to said recording (c).
 13. A method asrecited in claim 10, wherein said playing (d) comprises: (d1) answeringthe incoming voice call to enable a voice channel if not alreadyanswered; (d2) playing the custom audio message over the voice channel;and (d3) thereafter closing the incoming voice call to disable the voicechannel.
 14. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said determining(b) can determine that the incoming voice call is to be declined by userinteraction with the wireless communication device or automaticallybased on a pre-set criterion, which can depend on time.
 15. A method forfacilitating a called party in responding to a calling party, saidmethod comprises: (a) receiving an incoming voice call from the callingparty at a mobile communication device of the called party; (b)determining that the called party declines to answer the incoming voicecall from the calling party; (c) determining whether a head-set isactive for use with the mobile communication device of the called party;and (d) providing a short audio message to the calling party when saiddetermining (c) determines that the head-set is active and when saiddetermining (b) determines that the called party declines to answer theincoming call.
 16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the shortaudio message is one of a plurality of predetermined messages selectedby the called party.
 17. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein theshort audio message is a custom audio message recorded by the calledparty.
 18. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein said method furthercomprises: (e) determining whether the mobile communication device ofthe called party has a display; and (f) providing a short text messageto the calling party when said determining (e) determines that themobile communication device has a display and when said determining (b)determines that the called party declines to answer the incoming call.19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the short text message isone of a plurality of predetermined messages selected by the calledparty.
 20. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the short textmessage is a custom text message recorded by the called party.
 21. Amethod as recited in claim 15, wherein said determining (b) candetermine that the incoming voice call is to be declined by userinteraction with the wireless communication device or automaticallybased on a pre-set criterion.
 22. A method for facilitating textmessaging for a first user of a computing device, said methodcomprising: receiving an incoming text message from a second user;converting the incoming text message to an incoming audio message; andplaying the incoming audio message for the first user.
 23. A method asrecited in claim 22, wherein said method further comprises: determiningwhether the incoming text message should be presented to the first userin an audio or text manner.
 24. A method as recited in claim 23, whereinsaid determining is based on one or more of a preference setting, aconfiguration setting, hardware components availability, and userindication.
 25. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein a head-set isoperatively connected to the computing device, and wherein saiddetermining comprises determining whether the head-set is active.
 26. Amethod as recited in claim 22, wherein said converting of the incomingtext message to the incoming audio message comprises: translating theincoming text message from a short-hand or abbreviated format to aword-format; and converting the word-format of the incoming text messageto the incoming audio message.
 27. A method for facilitating textmessaging for a first user of a head-set operatively connected to acomputing device, said method comprising: receiving an incoming textmessage from a second user; converting the incoming text message to anincoming audio message; playing the incoming audio message for the firstuser via the head-set; recording a reply audio message by the first uservia the head-set; converting the reply audio message into a reply textmessage; and transmitting the reply text message to the second user. 28.A method as recited in claim 27, wherein the incoming text message isreceived over a wireless network, wherein the reply text message istransmitted over the wireless network, and wherein the computing deviceis a mobile communication device.
 29. A method as recited in claim 27,wherein said method further comprises: determining whether the head-setis active.
 30. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein said converting,said playing, recording, and said converting are performed only whensaid determining determines that the head-set is active.
 31. A method asrecited in claim 27, wherein said method further comprises: promptingthe first user for providing the reply audio message prior to saidrecording the reply audio message.
 32. A method as recited in claim 27,wherein said method further comprises: limiting the reply audio messageduring said recording and/or said converting.